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Title: Temperature coefficients for the chain dimensions of polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.465528· OSTI ID:5873216
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU (United Kingdom)
  2. Polymers and Colloids Group, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HE (United Kingdom)
  3. Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6393 (United States)

We have made precise measurements of the unperturbed radius of gyration [l angle][ital S][sup 2][r angle][sup 1/2][sub 0] of polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate molecules in the melt over the temperature range 120 [degree]C--240 [degree]C by small-angle neutron scattering. Contrary to most previous reports, based on dilute solution measurements, we find that neither polymer exhibits a significant change in dimensions with temperature, and we deduce temperature coefficients, [kappa]=[ital d] ln[l angle][ital S][sup 2][r angle][sub 0]/[ital dT], of (0.0[plus minus]0.1)[times]10[sup [minus]3] K[sup [minus]1] for polystyrene and (0.1[plus minus]0.1)[times]10[sup [minus]3] K[sup [minus]1] for polymethylmethacrylate. These [kappa] values are close to those given by thermoelastic measurements, but are difficult to reconcile with predictions obtained from the rotational isomeric state model.

DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5873216
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics; (United States), Vol. 99:11; ISSN 0021-9606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English